A Lincolnshire Police sergeant has been given a final written warning after using a police data system to carry out personal checks on a suspect he described as “a jammy git”.
Sgt Stuart Mumby-Croft, who was based at Grantham, passed on information from the police data system to a member of the public and he carried out personal checks on a suspect, referred to as person A, over a number of months.
In June this year he discovered that A had been arrested for an unspecified matter but had been released on bail.
That led him to send an email to a member of the public, known only as B, in which the officer referred to the suspect as a “jammy git”.
The hearing at Lincolnshire Police headquarters on Friday, September 28 was told that Sgt Mumby-Croft had previously been given advice about his use of police data systems.
But earlier this year he checked out details relating to A on police systems on a number of occasions.
Liz Briggs, for Lincolnshire Police Authority, said: “This clearly breached the standards of professional behaviour.
“The authority do not submit that the officer has acted dishonestly but he has acted without integrity.”
She said that Sgt Mumby-Croft broke regulations by accessing police data systems to search for infomation held about A when he had no legitimate policing purpose to do so.
Mrs Briggs said that after A was arrested Sgt Mumby-Croft contacted a senior professional standards officer with concerns that A was in breach of his bail conditions.
“His concern was that he believed A was in breach of his bail conditions.”
The information about A’s case was placed in a restricted area on police systems. The following day Sgt Mumby-Croft searched the system for details of A but was unable to access the information because it was restricted.
He then emailed B saying: “No sign of custody overnight! I can’t see the job because they have restricted it but I suspect that once again he’s a jammy git.”
Mrs Briggs said: “He disclosed information he should not have to person B.”
She said he had also accessed police data systems relating to A on other occasions when there was no legitimate policing purpose to do so.
Mrs Briggs added: “This set of circumstances seriously undermines public confidence in the police service. The public are entitled to expect a police officer to act confidentially.
“The conduct was planned, it was continued and it involved the onward disclosure of information. That makes this breach so serious that it justifies dismissal.”
Sgt Mumby-Croft , who has served as a police officer since 2007, admitted three allegations relating to his use of police data between March 21 and July 1 this year, breaching standards of professional behaviour involving integrity, confidentiality, orders and instructions, and discreditable conduct.
He also admitted that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.
He apologised for his behaviour and told the hearing: “I utterly convinced myself at the time that I was doing the right thing.
“I look back now and I feel stupid about that and I utterly regret it. It was a grave error. At the time I believed I was doing the right thing.
“I should have taken a step back and I should have gone to someone else and spoken to a superviser rather than take it on my own shoulders.
“I have always tried to conduct myself with honesty and integrity as an officer. I made a complete mess of this.”
Adam Birkby, for Sgt Mumby-Croft, urged that the officer should receive a final written warning rather than be sacked.
He said: “He acted in good faith. There was no actual or potential compromise of a police investigation as a result of the misconduct.
“When confronted by his misconduct he immediately admitted it in interview. He has shown remorse and insight into his own professional failings. He apologises wholeheartedly.”
Lincolnshire Chief Constable Bill Skelly, who carried out the hearing, ruled that Sgt Mumby-Croft should receive a final written warning.
He said: “I am clear that Sgt Mumby-Croft accessed information inappropriately. He was aware, at least to some level, that his actions were inappropriate. Sgt Mumby-Croft should have and did know better.
“I sincerely hope that Sgt Mumby-Croft learns from his mistakes and is able to use his experience to prevent others from making the same misjudgement.”
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More than 276,000 people flocked to Lincoln Christmas Market as the festive event made a comeback following last year’s cancellation.
More than 150 stalls were in Castle Square, Lincoln Castle grounds, The Lawn, and Westgate, providing a wide range of both local and national gifts, food and drink between December 2 and 5. There was also fun for all the family including a funfair and a big wheel, where one Lincoln couple got engaged.
The visitor numbers for this year’s event represented a 15% increase on 2019, despite the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the largest crowds of people to the city Covid since hit.
As well as the market, people were also able to enjoy stunning views of Lincoln Cathedral, which was lit up in purple for advent.
Councillor Neil Murray, portfolio holder for economic growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “Lincoln Christmas Market was dearly missed last year and to have received such positive feedback for this year’s event is very rewarding.
“This market brings millions of pounds to the local economy and sees many visitors who go to the market at Christmas return again and again to the city to explore what else we have to offer.
“I’d personally like to thank all City of Lincoln Council staff involved in making this such a successful event, and to our partner organisations for all their work. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the market in 2022.”
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the event. The 2022 Lincoln Christmas Market will take place between December 1 and 4 next year.
The festive event was enjoyed by many people, but some were left frustrated by the decision to close the Park & Ride at the Lincolnshire Showground on Sunday after adverse weather left the ground too muddy.
The Bon Jovi Experience, the only tribute band in the world to be endorsed by the man himself, will be performing in Lincoln next May.
Described by Jon Bon Jovi as “the best Bon Jovi tribute band I’ve ever seen”, The Bon Jovi Experience will play all the big hits when they come to the Engine Shed in Lincoln on Friday, May 20, 2022.
They remain the only tribute act in the world to have played live with Jon Bon Jovi himself, and are a rarity in the realms of tribute acts in being endorsed by the artist they are imitating.
The show was due to take place on Friday, October 8 this year, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be in May 2022.
Chad Kroeger, lead singer of American rock band Nickelback, said of the tribute band’s lead singer: “Have you seen this guy? He looks so much like Jon Bon Jovi, it’s freaky man!”
The band consists of Tony Pearce as Jon on lead vocals, Steve ‘Edd’ Edmunds as lead guitarist Ritchie Sambora, Nick Overfield as bass player Hugh McDonald, Paul Dunstan as drummer Tico Torres and Steve Lawrence as keyboard player David Bryan.
Tickets cost £23.10, so don’t be Livin’ On A Prayer and be sure to get them from the Engine Shed website before they sell out!
Councillors have officially confirmed their reasons for rejecting proposals to build a controversial oil drill in the Lincolnshire Wolds – but taken noise concerns off the cards.
Egdon had said the area was believed to contain more than 30 million barrels of oil, which would provide 15 years’ supply.
On Monday, councillors confirmed unanimously that they thought the plans were contrary to the Minerals and Waste Local Plan Core Strategy and Development Management Policies, as well as the East Lindsey Local Plan.
A report before councillors said: “The introduction of extended periods of external lighting into this largely unlit protected landscape would have an adverse impact on the character of this special landscape that cannot be satisfactorily mitigated.
“This would draw attention to the development and create a lit visual intrusion into this largely dark sky location.
“The public benefits… do not outweigh the identified harm to the character of the Wolds AONB and the county council… do not consider it is possible to mitigate these impacts to an acceptable level.”
There was also uncertainty over the timescales of the project.
However, head of planning at the authority Neil McBride advised councillors that noise concerns should be removed from the reasons.
“It would be very difficult to bring forward a defence in relation to noise,” he said.
Chairman Councillor Ian Fleetwood agreed with the officer’s recommendation.
“We need to get on and deliver the reasons to the applicant and the public so people have some certainty where the council stands,” he said.
Councillor Alison Austin added: “I don’t particularly recall noise being the main issue. We refer to the policies but I don’t think noise was the one that was important or key.”
Objectors gathered in the committee to watch Lincolnshire County Council reject the plans for Biscathorpe at the start of November. | Photo: Daniel Jaines
The Biscathorpe plans have faced a fierce backlash since their reveal with a petition handed to the council carrying more than 1,800 signatures, while more than 200 locals also submitted objections.
Campaigners said the drill would fly in the face of climate concerns – though the climate does not come under planning regulations.
Five of the parish councils closest to the site – Donnington-On-Bain, Hemingby, South Elkington, Welton-Le-Wold and South Willingham – also objected to the plans, along with MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins, Natural England, Historic England, and multiple other organisations.
The developers said the site would be restored to agricultural use once the drilling had finished.
Egdon previously drilled in the location in 2018 and said there was little impact, it also said it was going to work closely with the Environment Agency.
Councillors and objectors have previously highlighted a lack of national policy allowing climate change to be considered as a material planning policy.
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